Application Review Panelists

Become a Review Panelist for TechGirls, a U.S. Department of State Program!

Help select the leaders of tomorrow!

Join the panel of volunteers that will review applications of young women from 36 countries and territories. The position offers flexibility during the period of December 16 to January 27 to review applications from prospective participants of the TechGirls program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Program Description

TechGirls is an international exchange program designed to empower young girls from around the world to pursue careers in science and technology. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

In 2023, the program will support 111 young women from 35 countries/territories along with 15 U.S. peers in a dynamic four-week U.S.-based experience with a 7-month mentoring program (pre- and post-exchange).

The core of the 2023 summer program is a 25-day U.S. experience in partnership with Virginia Tech University. TechGirls participate in an interactive technology and computer camp, then travel to one of several cities (Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Portland or Seattle) for job shadowing at a tech company, and homestay and community service experiences. 

The TechGirls experience yields a multiplier effect. Benefits go beyond the TechGirls participants to positively impact their wider communities. TechGirls return home with the knowledge, skills, new ideas and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their schools and communities through achievable action projects using technology. TechGirls will work on action plans in the U.S. and refine their plans upon return home.   

Eligible Countries: TechGirls participants are competitively recruited and selected from the following regions/countries and territories (pending embassy approval; 3-4 teens per country):

• • • Sub-Saharan Africa (AF) – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa and Zimbabwe
    • East Asia & Pacific (EAP) – Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
    • Europe & Eurasia (EUR) – Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Turkey
    • Middle East & North Africa (NEA) – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
    • South & Central Asia (SCA) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
    • Western Hemisphere (WHA) – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Suriname

To volunteer, you must be at least 20 years old, have a high school degree or GED equivalent, and participate in a training workshop prior to the review period (tentatively set for late-November or early-December).